[Federal Register: November 21, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 225)]
[Notices]               
[Page 65704-65705]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no03-66]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

(ER-FRL-6645-7)

 
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared pursuant to the Environmental 
Review Process (ERP), under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act and 
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act as amended. 
Requests for copies of EPA comments can be directed to the Office of 
Federal Activities at (202) 564-7167. An explanation of the ratings 
assigned to draft environmental impact statements (EISs) was published 
in FR dated April 04, 2003 (68 FR 16511).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-L65429-WA Rating EC2, Gotchen Risk Reduction and 
Restoration Project, Implementation, Mount Adams Ranger District, 
Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Skamania and Yakima Counties, WA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding potential 
adverse impacts to water quality and designated critical habitat and 
endangered species from proposed

[[Page 65705]]

silvicultural practices in Late-Successional Reserves.
    ERP No. D-CGD-L59001-WA Rating LO, Seattle Monorail Project (SMP), 
Green Line 14-Mile Monorail Transit System Construction and Operation, 
Reviewing a Water Crossing at the Lake Washington Ship Canal Bridge and 
Duwamish Waterway Bridge Modification, USCG Bridge, Endangered Species 
Act Section 7 and U.S. Army COE Section 404 Permits Issuance, City of 
Seattle, WA.
    Summary: EPA expressed no objections to the project as proposed. 
EPA also expressed support for the project purpose, which would provide 
an alternate transportation mode for the project area, and encouraged 
proponents to seek opportunities to maximize links with existing modes.
    ERP No. D-FHW-E40798-NC Rating EC2, Greensboro-High Point Road (NC-
1486-NC-4121) Improvements from U.S. 311 (I-74) to Hilltop Road (NC-
1424), Cities of Greensboro and High Point, Town of Jamestown, Guilford 
County, NC.
    Summary: EPA has environmental concerns with the proposed project 
regarding the long term protection of water supplies associated with a 
present intake and the planned downstream Randleman Reservoir. EPA 
recommends that additional mitigation be evaluated for the abatement of 
stormwater runoff impacts.
    ERP No. D-FHW-L40219-AK Rating EC2, Gravina Access Project, 
Transportation Improvements between Revillagigedo Island and Gravina 
Island, Funding, Endangered Species Act 7, NPDES and U.S. Army COE 
Section 404 Permits Issuance, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK.
    Summary: EPA has environmental concerns with the proposed project 
regarding the potential direct and indirect impacts to water quality, 
wetlands, marine habitat and subsistence resources associated with 
project construction and subsequent development on Gravina and Pennock 
Islands. EPA recommends that additional analyses of the No Action and 
ferry alternative be included in the EIS along with information and 
maps related to expected future development that reflect the 
comprehensive planning efforts of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough.
    ERP No. D2-AFS-L61190-OR Rating EC2, Mt. Ashland Ski Area 
Expansion, Site Specific Project, Maintenance and Enhancements of 
Environmental Resources, Implementation, Special Use Permit, Ashland 
Ranger District, Rogue River National Forest and Scott River Ranger 
District, Klamath National Forest, Jackson County, OR.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that the expansion 
may increase sedimentation, degrade water quality, change surface flow, 
damage high value wetlands and riparian reserves in Ashland Creek, 
which drains into a municipal water supply reservoir. The Final EIS 
should include detail on mitigation and minimization measures, and 
whether such measures compensate for project impacts.

    Dated: November 18, 2003.
Joseph C. Montgomery,
Director, NEPA Compliance, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 03-29189 Filed 11-20-03; 8:45 am]

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